Posted 8/4/2004 5:30 PM
Coalition vows not to give ground to hostage-takers
WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States on Wednesday issued the first in a series of coordinated statements by nations vowing not to make concessions to hostage-takers in Iraq.
While the 31 nations in the U.S.-led coalition of peacekeeping troops share the suffering of the families of hostages, State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said, "We are united in our resolve to make no concessions to terrorists."
Many if not all of the 30 other nations involved in the postwar campaign will issue similar statements in the days ahead, he said.
The aim is to let the hostage-takers know that their threats and murders will not force peacekeeping troops to leave.
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http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2004-08-04-coalition-vows_x.htm